About the Contest

The Center on Colfax’s Colorado LGBTQ History Project and Rocky Mountain College of Arts and Design (RMCAD) have partnered to host "The Words We Teach..." - an art contest highlighting Denver LGBTQ+ history.

The phrase “the words we teach...” comes from the quote “the words we teach our children shape the world.” When we make art that tells a story from history, we place the value of that story in something people will cherish. “The Words We Teach…” brings together faculty and students from RMCAD, local middle and high school students, and our community to build some of the first art related to LGBTQ+ history in the state of Colorado. Through this art contest, participating young artists will tell stories that have rarely been told through art.

The focus of 2025 is on Black LGBTQ history.  This contest asks participants to produce an original artwork inspired by the story of African American LGBTQ Community. All middle and high school students living in the Denver area are welcome to participate. 

Contest Rules

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST?

Only middle and high school students living in the Denver area are eligible to apply.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST?

  1. Review the history and resources about Black LGBTQ History.

  2. Make an artwork inspired by her story that uses one of the following media:

    • 2-D collage: two-dimensional works that arrange and attach materials (like paper, fabric, photographs, or other found ephemera) onto a supporting surface (like paper, cardboard, wood, or canvas)

    • 2-D drawing or painting: two-dimensional works that use drawing materials (like pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, crayon, pastel, or marker) or paint (like acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, tempera, ink, or spray paint) on a flat surface (like paper or canvas)

    • 2-D digital (human or human curated-AI) images: two-dimensional works that use digital technologies (like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Procreate, Corel Painter, or AI generators) during the production process

    • 2-D photography: two-dimensional works that use either a film or digital camera during the production process

  3. Submit your artwork by completing the contest's submission form. Please make sure to follow the instructions listed in the form as well as send the submission form and a picture or submission digital file together. Click here to find the submission form.

Contest Prizes

1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive:

  • Visa gift cards (1st place: $250, 2nd place: $200, 3rd place: $150)

  • A portfolio review with RMCAD faculty 

  • A certificate of award 

  • A RMCAD swag bag

  • An exhibition at RMCAD (summer 2025)

All contest participants will receive: 

  • Individualized feedback from RMCAD students about their artwork

  • A guided tour of RMCAD’s campus led by student ambassadors

Contest Timeline

Submissions will be accepted from March 1, 2025 to May 18th, 2025

All artists will be notified of the contest results by Friday, May 23, 2025.

The exhibition featuring the award-winning artworks will be determined for the Summer of 2025.